OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of specific peptide (AWYPLPP peptide) binding to high metastatic potential human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells on the invasion and metastasis of liver cancer.

METHODSThe effects of AWYPLPP peptide on the invasion, migration, proliferation and adhesion of high metastatic potential human HCC cell line (HCCLM3) were evaluated in vitro by Matrigel invasion assay, migration assay, MTT assay and adhesion assay. The effect of AWYPLPP peptide on lung metastasis of HCC in vivo was evaluated in male nude mice with subcutaneously implanted HCCLM3 cells.

RESULTSIncubation with the AWYPLPP peptide, but not the control peptide, resulted in a concentration-dependent increase of invasion ability in HCCLM3 cells at the concentration of 0.1 to 100 micromol/L. At any concentration used for the invasion assay, the peptide had no effect on cell migration, proliferation and adhesion. After 30 days of transplantation, eight of nine (88.9%) mice in the AWYPLPP peptide group showed obvious lung metastasis. The metastatic rate of lung metastasis was significantly increased in the AWYPLPP peptide group compared with that in the control group. There was no significant difference among the weights of primary tumor in the PBS, control peptide and AWYPLPP peptide groups.

CONCLUSIONAWYPLPP peptide can promote in vitro invasion and in vivo lung metastasis of high metastatic potential human HCC cells. Identification of the receptor for AWYPLPP peptide binding may provide new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying HCC invasion and metastasis as well as new targets for intervention.